Overall unemployment rate moved down to 6.8% with the biggest shift in Government, which lost 18,600 roles, based on the most recently available information published in September 2021.

Total employment in the Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX market rose by 36,821 jobs in July and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 60 bps to 6.8%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 43 bps over the same time to 5.7%.

  • Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX unemployment rate is 114 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 430 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in July versus prior month by 5.5% and are up compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX Unemployment July 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs declined by -0.2%. Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 629,100; -2,700
  • Business Services: 501,200; +7,500
  • Education & Healthcare: 401,300; +800
  • Government: 392,500; -18,600
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 329,200; +2,600
  • Construction, Mining: 270,600; -2,500
  • Manufacturing: 210,900; +3,700
  • Financial Services: 163,500; +300
  • Other Jobs: 112,900; +1,600
  • IT & Development: 29,000; +200
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX Unemployment by Industry July 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through July 2021 (Data published September 2021 and reports created on September 1, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.